BRIDGE TO EU – France for good governance in the Western Balkans
(Balkans Regional Initiative for the Development of good Governance and Efficiency)
For more than a decade, the Western Balkans have been engaged in comprehensive public administration reform (PAR) processes aimed at strengthening the rule of law, modernizing public administrations, and improving the quality, accessibility and reliability of public services. These reforms respond to a dual dynamic: rising societal expectations for more effective, transparent, and accountable institutions, and a clear European integration perspective that requires alignment with EU principles, standards, and the acquis communautaire.
In this context, France has sought to reinforce its regional commitment to the development of capable, professional, and resilient public administrations. The BRIDGE to EU programme is part of the French Strategy for the Western Balkans and is designed to provide long-term support to the reform efforts across the region. Funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and implemented in close cooperation with the Regional School of Public Administration (ReSPA), the programme adopts a regional approach. It aims to foster cooperation among administrations and exchange of experience, strengthen institutional capacities and support the development of shared solutions to common reform challenges.
Rather than promoting predefined models, the French approach is deliberately partnership-based, demand-driven and context-sensitive, respectful of locally defined priorities. It is grounded in listening and dialogue with the ambition of providing targeted support, facilitating peer-to-peer exchange and acting as a catalyst for sustainable institutional transformation.
A shared vision of good governance
The programme is built on a strong conviction: public administration is a cornerstone of democratic governance but also a key driver of economic development, social and territorial cohesion, and economic transition. Modern, agile, and resilient administrations are essential for effective policy design and implementation. They directly contribute to citizens’ quality of life and trust in institutions. This vision is structured around two core pillars:
- A high-performing, service-oriented administration, capable of anticipating change, via strategic planning and evidence-based decision-making, of crisis response and effective service delivery, responding to user’s needs ;
- A professional and merit-based civil service, grounded in transparency, integrity and accountability where recruitment, career management and skills development follow clear, fair, and objective rules.
These principles fully align with the Principles of Public Administration developed by SIGMA at the request of the European Commission, as well as with the PAR priorities monitored by the EC. The BRIDGE to EU programme seeks to provide concrete support to these ambitions by placing civil servants at the heart of transformation processes.
A partnership-based approach for a shared European ambition
BRIDGE to EU is conceived as a capacity development and peer-learning programme, grounded in cooperation, joint ownership and mutual accountability. Its activities rely on the active involvement of partner institutions. The strong regional dimension will:
- Facilitate the exchange of experiences and good practices in addressing similar reform challenges;
- Strengthen professional and institutional networks and support their integration into European networks;
- Encourage joint initiatives and foster sustainable regional cooperation dynamics.
On the French side, the programme mobilises a wide range of institutional stakeholders, including central and territorial administrations, public service schools, and specialised public bodies. This collective mobilisation enables the provision of complementary expertise within a framework of knowledge sharing, practice transfer, policy dialogue and mutual learning.
Programme framework and first-year priorities
BRIDGE to EU is a two-year programme. The first year is structured around three priority components, fully aligned with PAR frameworks and EU accession requirements:
Support to leadership management and human resources management in the public service, to strengthen senior management, talent management and change management capacities within public administrations.
This activity is primarily built upon a high-level, structured and sustainable training programme for senior civil servants. Over the course of one year, a cohort of high-ranking officials will meet regularly and engage in collective work through three thematic modules. Participants will be invited to reflect on their managerial and interpersonal practices, strengthen their capacity to steer institutional change and update their knowledge of public policy, governance and major contemporary challenges.
Capacity building for public service schools and training institutes, to consolidate initial and continuous training systems for civil servants.
Through this strand, BRIDGE to EU will provide technical and practical expertise to public service schools and training centres across the Western Balkans, reinforcing their pedagogical and organizational capacities. Participants will include training officers from each institution in the region. Targeted and tailored support will enable each institution to capitalise on regional and French good practices while addressing its own specific challenges and reform priorities.
Support for European integration preparation, in line with the administrative requirements of the EU accession process.
This activity aims at strengthening the capacity of public administrations to operate effectively within the European institutional framework and to meet the requirements of the EU accession process. It supports both individual civil servants and institutions through targeted training on EU institutions, recruitment systems, and working methods, as well as on inter-ministerial coordination and policy implementation. By combining practical preparation with institutional capacity building, it contributes to aligning administrative systems with the standards and practices of EU Member States.
Each component will be implemented through targeted, participatory activities. Particular attention will be paid to institutional ownership and sustained commitment of partner administrations and participants, which are key conditions for ensuring the effectiveness and long-term impact of the programme.
A cross-cutting approach will also be integrated, with a strong focus on gender equality, the participation of young professionals, inclusion and diversity in line with French and EU values and horizontal priorities. Finally, BRIDGE to EU will align with the Sustainable Development Goals, promoting sustainability, resilience, and climate adaptation as core dimensions of the ecological transition within the public sector.
The first-year programme lays the foundations for long-term impact, structuring regional partnerships, supporting stronger, more professional, and EU-ready public administrations—and, above all, contributing to direct benefits for citizens.